Australia v India: The memory of Hughes will be at the forefront of
Australia's minds in the final Test against India at the Sydney Cricket
Ground where he fell

The memory of Phillip Hughes will be at the forefront of Australian cricketers’ minds in the final Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground where he fell. A plaque honouring the batsman has been installed outside the home dressing room.

“It’s going to be great to be able to walk past that and see the little fella there and give us a bit of inspiration as we’re going out on to the field,” Steve Smith, the Australia captain, said. “Hughesy was one of us, he was one of our good mates. We’ve just got to take care of each other this week.”

Smith said it would be important for the players to keep each other in good spirits. “It’s going to be another emotional Test and hopefully we can do the Hughes family proud by playing well,” he said.

The match, which started Monday night UK time, will be especially taxing for Shane Watson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Brad Haddin and David Warner, who were all fielding on Nov 25 at the SCG when Hughes, 25, was fatally struck by a bouncer.

“Coming back to the place where it happened, I thought it was going to be extremely tough for the boys,” Smith said. “Hopefully we can hold our emotions together.” Hughes’s family are expected to attend.

Related Articles

West Indies collapsed from 182 for three to 215 all out on the fourth day of the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands. South Africa were left needing 124 to win and were nine for one at the close after Alviro Petersen was bowled by Sulieman Benn in the last over. The hosts lead the three-Test series 1-0.

Kane Williamson and BJ Watling produced an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 94 to keep New Zealand hopes alive on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Wellington. New Zealand, who won the first Test, were 253 for five at stumps, a lead of 118.